Eliseo Imperial Castro, alias El Cheyo Ántrax, is murdered in Culiacán

Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico - Eliseo Imperial Castro, known as "El Cheyo Ántrax" and nephew of notorious capo Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was shot to death while driving a white van on the afternoon of Thursday, May 30. The attack occurred in a busy area of ​​Culiacán, and although authorities have not yet determined the motive for the attack, it is presumed that it could be related to his involvement in criminal activities.

Description of the event

The attack was reported during the afternoon, when witnesses alerted the state's Public Security Secretariat (SSP) about a shooting that left a man dead in his vehicle. Shortly after, it was confirmed that the victim was Eliseo Imperial Castro, a prominent figure within the Sinaloa Cartel and founder of the Los Ántrax criminal cell. After the events, federal agents secured the area to begin the pertinent investigations.

Who was Eliseo Imperial Castro

Eliseo Imperial Castro, also known as "El Cheyo Ántrax", was 40 years old and was a figure close to Ismael Zambada García, alias "El Mayo", one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. In 2016, US authorities, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned Imperial Castro for his involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering, activities that expanded the cartel's influence in California.

John E. Smith, then acting director of OFAC, mentioned that the actions of Imperial Castro and other sanctioned individuals served to strengthen the presence of the cartel in the United States. DEA reports confirmed that California was one of the states with the greatest presence of this criminal group.

History and criminal activity

Imperial Castro was one of the founders of Los Ántrax, a cell of the Sinaloa Cartel, and in 2020 he was identified as the head of this group's hitmen.

In 2021, images emerged showing him at a party, and by 2023 he was considered the last active leader of Los Ántrax, especially after the murder of his father, Eliseo Imperial López, at whose funeral a floral arrangement signed by Ismael Zambada was received. .

Eliseo Imperial always remained loyal to Zambada García, protecting him and being a key figure in the cartel structure. Additionally, Los Ántrax were known for being rivals of Los Chapitos, a faction led by the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

Closure and current situation

The murder of Eliseo Imperial Castro highlights the violence and internal conflicts that persist within Mexican cartels. Despite sanctions and legal persecutions, the influence of figures like "El Cheyo Ántrax" continues to be significant in the criminal dynamics of Mexico.